A laser a light-emitting device that consists of a laser diode, circuit board, case, and optics. Electric components on the circuit board and laser diode are usually made up of semiconductor materials, metals, and ceramics. Semiconductor materials include compounds/alloys of aluminum, gallium, arsenic, phosphorous, indium, and similar elements. These semiconductor materials also contain metals such as gold, aluminum, and tantalum. The circuit board used in a laser is typically composed of synthetic resin, usually epoxy, with glass fibers to strengthen it. The circuit board is connected to the various components using lines of metals such as aluminum and copper. Semiconductor parts used in a laser are encapsulated in plastic with metal leads that are connected to metal pads on the circuit board with a solder. Solder is a metal alloy made up of tin and lead; however, in recent years, lead has been replaced by other metals. Non-semiconductor parts in a laser are composed of materials such as metal, plastic, glass, and ceramic. Optics used in a laser can be prepared with glass; however, they are usually made from acrylic plastic, which is more economical than glass. The casings used in a laser are usually made up of materials such as metal, plastic, or wood. It may also have metal contacts with batteries, usually prepared from brass. Usage of these materials varies as per requirement of end-user applications and also depends upon the laser device manufacturer.

Major raw materials used in laser manufacturing include glass, plastic, metal, ceramic, and others along with the processing medium, which is the source of optical gain within a laser. In terms of demand, metals dominated the laser material market in 2014 and accounted for over 45% of the demand share in the same year. Metals are primarily consumed in the production of electric components of laser, laser diodes, semiconductor, and casing of laser. Glass is the fastest-growing product segments of the laser material market. Ceramic is also one of the fastest-growing product segment of the laser material market. Ceramics are principally consumed in semiconductor parts, non-semiconductor parts, and in the manufacture of circuit boards.

In terms of demand, the communication industry was the largest application segment of the laser material market and accounted for more than 30% of the global market share in 2014. Laser technology plays a vital role in communication. Rising demand for Internet services, e-commerce, digitalization of information, and economic cycles are key factors driving growth of laser devices. This, in turn, is boosting the communication application segment of the laser material market. R&D and military would be the fastest-growing segment of the market for laser materials. Increasing demand for laser devices in anti-tank missiles, radars, underwater equipment in military services, and advanced R&D application is expected to significantly drive the laser material market during the forecast period. Other application segments such as material processing, medical & aesthetic, instrumentation & sensors, lithography, optical storage, and others are likely to exhibit higher demand for laser materials in the near future.

Asia Pacific accounted for the highest share of the global laser material market in 2014. In terms of volume, the region accounted for more than one-third share of the global laser material market in 2014 and is expected to be the fastest-growing market in the near future. North America accounted for the second-largest market share of the laser material market in 2014. Growth of the laser material market in this region is expected to remain steady in the next few years. The market in North America is anticipated to depict stable growth as the region is technologically advanced and has established markets.

The report analyzes and forecasts the laser material market on the global and regional level. The study provides historical data of 2014 along with forecast from 2015 to 2023 based on volume (Kilo Tons) and revenue (US$ Mn). The study includes drivers and restraints for the laser material market along with their impact on demand during the forecast period. The report also analyzes opportunities in the laser material market on the global and regional level. Drivers, restraints, and opportunities mentioned in the report are justified through quantitative and qualitative data. These have been verified through primary and secondary resources.

We have included a detailed analysis of the value chain to provide a comprehensive view of the laser material market. Value chain analysis provides details such as integration in the market, distribution channels, product segments, and application market. Analysis of Porter’s Five Forces Model has also been included to help understand the competitive landscape of the laser material market. The study encompasses market attractiveness analysis, wherein application segment of the market is benchmarked based on market size, compound annual growth rate (CAGR), and general attractiveness.

The study provides a decisive view of the laser material market by segmenting it on the basis of products and applications. Product and application segments have been analyzed based on current and future trends, and the market has been estimated from 2015 to 2023 in terms of volume (Kilo Tons) and revenue (US$ Mn). Regional segmentation includes current and forecast demand in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. It also includes demand for individual products and applications in major countries in respective regions.

Constant currency rates have been considered while forecasting the market. Prices of materials used to make laser device vary in each region; hence, a similar volume-to-revenue ratio does not follow for each individual region. Regional average price has been considered while breaking down the market by product segment and application in each region. Models and estimates have been used to produce comprehensive data sets when hard data was not available. We have used the bottom-up approach by considering individual product and application segments and integrating them to arrive at the global market. Product segment and applications have been further divided using the top-down approach to derive the consumption of products in the regional market.

In order to compile the research report, we conducted in-depth interviews and discussions with a wide range of key industry participants and opinion leaders. Primary research represented the bulk of research efforts, supplemented by an extensive secondary research. We reviewed key players’ product literature, annual reports, press releases, and relevant documents for competitive analysis and market understanding. Secondary research includes a search of recent trade, technical writing, Internet sources, and statistical data from government websites, trade associations, and agencies. This has proven to be the most reliable, effective, and successful approach for obtaining precise market data, capturing industry participants’ insights, and recognizing business opportunities.